Healthy Alternatives To Junk Food

One of the best ways to stay healthy is to have a wide variety of healthy alternatives to choose from. Choosing healthy alternatives instead of junk food can help improve your health. Unfortunately, our culture is inundated with junk food which makes it difficult to make healthy choices. Candy bars, fast food and sugary drinks are readily available and more convenient than their healthy counterparts. You can find several convenient healthy alternatives to your normal junk food routine if you are dedicated to improving your health and losing weight. Here are some tips for choosing healthy alternatives:

Granola Bars and Power Bars

Granola bars and Power Bars are great healthy alternatives for anybody who craves candy bars and sweets. Granola bars and Power Bars also tend to satisfy your hunger better than the unhealthy alternatives. Power Bars are generally known for the protein and energy they provide. Power Bars also contain several essential vitamins and minerals that candy bars do not provide. Similarly, granola bars provide more nutrition than junk food. You can also find granola bars and Power Bars that taste like candy, if you have a sweet tooth.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables provide nutrition for the body. Since they contain several essential daily vitamins, they are also an ideal healthy alternative to junk food. To ensure that you are getting enough vitamins and minerals in your diet, you should eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

Many fruits also have a sweet taste that makes them a great alternative to candy and other types of sweet junk food you may crave. Apples, for example, have a great taste and easily satisfy your hunger because of the high fiber content. The best thing about using fruits and vegetables as a healthy alternative to junk food is that you can eat more without feeling guilty.

Frozen Yogurt

Frozen yogurt is an ideal alternative to take the place of ice cream. Frozen yogurt has a sweet taste and a sugar substitute that mimics the taste of real sugar. It also has the texture of ice cream so you feel like you are having a treat without the excess calories. You can even find frozen yogurt that has the same texture as mousse for an even better treat. Frozen yogurt also comes in a wide variety of flavors so you are sure to find something you like.

Popcorn and Rice Cakes

Choosing popcorn and rice cakes instead of potato chips can help you achieve your weight loss goals. These healthy alternatives may not sound appetizing, but with a variety of flavors you will most likely find something that will satisfy your taste buds. If you need to, you can even add a small amount of salt and low-fat butter to your popcorn to give it extra flavor and make it a more appealing option.

Water

If you get a craving for junk food, drink a glass of water. Drinking a glass of water will fill you up and eliminate your hunger temporarily. Drink an eight ounce glass of water and wait twenty minutes to see if you still have the craving. If so, you may want to consider satisfying your craving and return to your healthy lifestyle afterwards.

Tips for Achieving Success

One of the best ways to ensure that you reduce your junk food intake is to stock your kitchen with healthy alternatives. If you do this, you will not feel the need to run to the nearest fast food restaurant or corner store for a junk food fix. Since most people eat junk food because it is convenient, you can avoid doing this by stocking up on healthy alternatives.

The next thing to do is to create a plan. If you write down your plan to stop eating junk food, you will feel more motivated. You can include a list of reasons why you want to quit eating junk food in your plan. Keep this written plan somewhere where you will always see it, such as on your refrigerator. Every time you want to eat, you will be reminded of your reasons to choose something healthy.

If you crave junk food, one way to ensure that you do not binge is to consume it in moderation. The problem with junk food is that most people eat too much. If you eat junk food every once in awhile, you can limit the cravings you might experience. Cravings lead to binging and binging leads to more indulging. Having a candy bar or cheeseburger every once in a while will keep you from craving it so often.

A healthy alternative to frying your food is to grill or broil it. With the right ingredients and spices, grilled and broiled foods can taste great. With certain grilling techniques, you can also maintain the natural flavor of the meat.

Another idea is to cook a large amount of healthy food and freeze the unused portions for a later time. When you get hungry, you can pop the frozen portion in the microwave and your meal will be ready in a matter of minutes.

In recent years, the fast food industry has been criticized for not offering healthy alternatives on their menu. In order to conform to societal pressure, many fast food restaurants now offer salads and other healthy alternatives to their customers. Salads and grilled chicken sandwiches are just a few of the items that provide a satisfying meal without the extra calories.

Finally, don’t give up. If you try to cut out junk food to make room for healthy alternatives, you might encounter some setbacks. Do not let that discourage you. If you eat a candy bar, it is not the end of the world. Just get back to your written plan and keep going as if you never ate the candy bar. Guilt can be damaging to your health and your overall well-being. Rather than letting the guilt cause you to indulge in more junk food, move on from the single incident and continue with your healthy lifestyle.

Finding the best way to lose weight seems to have turned into a hobby for many people. Rather than trying a fad diet with little or no results, you can often achieve your weight-loss goals by simply reducing your junk food intake. Choosing healthy alternatives over fattening junk food can provide results that last. In addition to that, the habits you form can last a lifetime.

Always Consult Your Physician FirstAlthough it is helpful to get health information by reading and talking with friends, make sure you consult your doctor first before trying any new treatment or changing your diet. Remember that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate the strength, purity or safety of herbs and supplements. Be sure to always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, speak with your doctor before taking medical action or changing your health routine. This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. LifeScript disclaims any liability for the decisions made by its readers based on the information provided.

Fast Food Facts: What’s Your Menu IQ?

Dining out is supposed to be fun. But many of us gorge like it's the last supper. The worst part? Our waistlines are expanding with every bite. But you don't have to stay home to avoid high calorie meals. You just have to learn how to make better menu choices. Take this quick quiz and test your menu IQ.

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